Balanced cord-drop attachment.



No. 700,800. PATENTBD A00. 2, 1004. H 001.100,01. BALANGBD 000D DROP ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MARA 4. 1904.

NO MODEL.

No. 766,800. PATENTBD AUG. 2, 1904.V H. DOLIEB., JR. BALANGED CORD DROP ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4, 1004.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fig., 4

a Hoff/110,14

no. vee-,800.

UNITED STATES 'Patented August e, 1904.

PATENT OEEICE.

BALANCED CORD-DROP ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part or Letters Patent No. 766,800, dated August 2, 1904.

Application led March 4, 1904. Serial No. 196,583. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY DOLIER, Jr.. a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Balanced Cord-Drop Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to incandescent-lamp attachments, more particularly such as will permit of the employment of an ordinary incandescent lamp in such position that its longitudinal axis may be maintained horizontal even in the case where the lamp is to be suspended by the usual drop-cord.

A further feature of my invention is an arrangement whereby the incandescent lamp when thus held in a horizontal position may be rotated to any position about the drop-cord or other support as an axis and whereby the lamp may be caused to take any desired position and be independent of the twisting effects or tendencies of the cord and whereby electrical communication is maintained between the lamp and cord or fixture irrespective of position of the lamp.

A further feature of my invention is the balancing of the entire lamp and lixture, so that the lamp will extend practically horizontally or in an inclined position and be independent of the usual string resorted to for tying up a cord-suspended lamp into a horizontal position.

A further feature of my invention is the means whereby the lamp is made portable and i stable in upright position.

In many places it is essential that the incandescent lamps be suspended by their own oonducting-cord, the practice heretofore beingl to permit the lamp to hang with its axis vertical and practically coincident with the axis of the cord. It is afact that an incandescent lamp so supported sheds the greater part of its light in horizontal directions, and the amount of light radiated vertically downward below the lamp is greatly less than the illumination in a horizontal direction. By actual tests with numerous incandescent lamps I h ave found that with the axis of the lamp vertical p the intensity of the illumination in a horizonlcord C or suitable fixture.

tal direction may be expressed, for example, by sixteen-candle power. At the same time, however, the illumination in adirection vertically below the lamp .is represented by 7.9 candle-power. In other words, the illumination directly below the lamp is only one-half of what it is in the horizontal direction. In factories, machine shops, and the 'like the workmen appreciate the fact that a lamp hung directly above their machine or work does not when in the ordinary vertical position shed the most light downwardly. In consequence the workman will tie his lamp up with a string extending between `the lamp and some portion of the cord, so as to hold the lamp in an approximately horizontal position. He is then instantly met with the diiiiculty that the cord will twist and turn the lamp to a position which he does not desire. It is to overcome such ditiiculties that my invention is well adaptedwthat is, to provide an attachment whereby the lamp will be held in an approximately horizontal position and be capable of rotation to any position :independently of its cord or other support and also be independent of the position of the attachment itself in its socket.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a lamp and its attachment, the attachment-plug being omitted. Eig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the lamp and attachment. Fig. 3 is a view of the under side of the attachmentplug portion. Fig. L is a plan view of a similar double lamp attachment. view, partly in section, of the "double lamp attachment.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents the screw-threaded brass shell'of an attachmentplug as adapted to screw into anfordinary Edison lamp-socket S, suspended by a lamp- As well understood, this screw-threaded shell forms one terminal of the circuit. The other terminal is the metallic button 2, held on the' mass 3, of insulating material. 'lhe metallic screwthreaded shell l is held between the insulating material 3 and theinsulating head mem- Eig. 5 is a side ber 4 by the axially-extending' metallic screw 5, whose head engages in a countersink in the metal button 2 and whose lower screw-threaded end engages -in a Contact to be described hereinafter. Y

6 isa metallic piece soldered or riveted to the metallic shell member 1 and engaged by a screw 7, extending' through a perforation in the head member 4. Beneath the head of the screw 7 and held betweenv it and the bottom of the depression 8 of the head member 4 is a brush-contact 9, made of suitable resilient conducting material. The rim or partition 10 extends eccentrically across the bottom of the head member 4, and thus divides the cavity in the end of this head member into the two depressed portions 8 and 11.

A rectangular channel 12 is formed in the head member 4, and in this channel engages the flange 13, forming a part of the spunmetal casing 14, having a general spherical shape. Within the casing 14 is held a porcelain member 15, having an annular depression 16, in which is held the metallic ring 17, having the downwardly-extending tongue 18, held in a depression in the porcelain member 15. Engaging the tongue 18 is a screw, rivet, or other suitable means whereby the screwthreaded socket-contact 19 is put in electrical communication with the ring 17 and also held mechanically in fixed position with regard to the porcelain member 15. A similar bolt 20 also serves to hold the shell 19 to the downwardly-extending portion 15 of the porcelain member 15. Through the opening' 21 in the extension 15 extends the metallic contactpiece 22, which is tapped to receive the lower end of the screw 5 and is held fixed to said screw 5 by means of the check-nut 23. After passing' through the opening 21 the contact 22 is bent downwardly and forms the central contact of an ordinary Edison socket.

24 is the usual insulating-bushing between the screw shell-contact and the neck 25 of the casing 14. This neck 25 has a bead 26 spun in it, this bead being embraced by the resilient fingers or clasps 27, formed on the reflector 28, having the opening 29, through which extends the incandescent lamp 30, having iilament (a. Y

81 is the screw-threaded contact, and 32is the button-contact of the lamp 30, which engage, respectively, with the shell 19 and the contact 22'.

The path of the current may be traced as follows: The current is received at the disk 2 from the central contact of an ordinary socket secured to and suspendedy by the usual lampcord. The current is then conducted by the screw 5 to the contact 22, thence to the button-contact 32 of the lamp 30, through the lamp to the screw-threaded base 31, thence to the shell 19, through the tongue 18 to the ring 17, through the brush-contact 9 to they screw 7, tothe metallic piece 6, to the screwthreaded shell 1, to the screw-threaded shellcontact of the socket.

The attachment-plug, having the member 1, is screwed into the usual incandescent-lamp socket,suspended by the usual cord drop. The incandescent lamp is screwed into shell 19, and thus placed -in communication with the conductors of the cord drop.

The attachment-plug and the parts within the spherical casing 14 are movable with re-x spect to each other, and in consequence the shell member 14, lamp 30and reector 28 may be rotated to any position in the hori- Zontal plane about the lamp-cord or screw 5 as an axis. This is made possible by the channel 12 and the engaging flange 13. Further, by the rotation of the head of the screw 5 within the countersink of the button 2 and by the engagement of the brush-contact 9 with the ring 17 to whatever position the lamp 30 may be rotated the brush 9 is always in contact with the ring 17 and the screw 5 with the button 2. From this construction it is apparent that an ordinary incandescent lamp may be suspended by a usual cord in a horizontal position and be capable of rotation to any position about the cord drop or fixture as an axis. For example, the device shown in Fig. 2may be screwed into an ordinary socket as held by the lamp cord or xture, the result being the horizontal extension of the lamp and its capacity to be rotated to any position. This latter feature is desirable, so that the position of the lamp 30 shall be independent of the position of the screw-threaded member 1 with regard to the socket which receives it and to be independent of the twist or set in the cord drop.

33 is a mass of lead or other suitable material held within the casing 14 in that portion opposite the lamp 30. This weight then causes the center of gravity of the system to be coincident with the axis of the cord drop or fixture and results in the lamp 30 taking a horizontal position. l

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I have provided a balanced rotary cord-drop attachment for holding an incandescent lamp in an approximately horizontal position, thus overcoming the diiiiculties encountered when simply suspending an incandescent lamp in avertical position by a cordl drop. Y Y

At 34 is shown a boss in the spun-metal casing 14, serving as a flat base upon which `to stand the entire 'lamp and attachment to operate as a portable lamp, if desired, and

which shall cause the axis of the lamp to ex-y tend vertically.

In Figs. 4 and 5 two oppositely-extending lamps are employed, which balance each other `and render the lead balancing as shown in Fig. 2 unnecessary. The reference characters of Figs. 4 and 5 refer to the same parts similarly designated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. It

Ioo

minals and the terminals ot' the attachment- `ported by said member, and a counterweight is apparent that more than two lamps can be l thus employed, they being so arranged as to produce a balanced system.

It is to be understood also that my invention is readily adaptable to the cases where the lamp is to be suspended and held in any position other than trulyhorizontal, any other inclination obviously being possible. It is `to be understood also that my invention is not limited to the form in which Edison sockets are used, but that Thomson-IIouston,-Vestinghouse, or any other socket may be employed with equal t'acility.

What I claim ish 1. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member `secured thereto and rotatable relatively thereto, and a lamp-socket in said member, the axisof said lamp-socket being at an angle with theaxis of said attachment-plug.

-2.1In combination, an attachment-plug, a member secured thereto, and capable ot' rotation with respect thereto, a lamp-socket carried by said member, the axis of 'said lampsocket being at an angle with the axis of said attachment-plug, and means for maintaining electrical communication between the lampsocket contacts and the contacts of said attaehment-plugs.

3. In combination, an attaclnnent-plug, a member secured thereto and capable of rotation with respect thereto, a lamp-socket and lamp carried by said member, the axis of said lamp'being at an angle with the axis of said attachment-plug, means for maintaining electrical communication between the lamp-terplug, and. a weight for balancing the lamp.

4. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member, cooperating therewith, a lamp supported by said member, and a counterweight for balancing said lamp and member about the axis of the attachment-plug.

5. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member cooperating therewith,`a lamp sup- :Eor determining the position of said lamp.

6. In combination, a cord drop, an attachment-plug secured thereto, a lamp secured to said attachment-plug, 'the axis of the lamp being at an angle with the axis of the cord drop, and a counterweight for determining the position of the lamp.

7. In combination, an attachment-plug, a membercoperating therewith, a lamp-socket secured to said member, a casing embracing' said member and socket and engaging with said attachmentplug, and means for maintaining` electrical communication between said attachment-plug and said lamp-socket.

8. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member rotatable with respect thereto, a lampsocketsupported by said member, and a casing inclosing said memberand socket and serving to maintain said member in operative relationship with said attachment-plug.

9. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member rotatable with respect thereto, a lampsocket supported by said member, a casing inclosing said member and lamp-socket and serving to maintain said member in operative relationship with respect to said attachmentplug, and means `for maintaining electrical communication between said attachment-plug and said lamp-socket.

1l). In combination, an attachment-plug, a member cope ating therewith, a lamp-socket` secured to said member, a counterweight, and a easing inclosing said member, lamp-socket and counterweight.

11. In combination, an attachment-plug, a membercooperating therewith, a lamp-socket secured to said member, a casinginclosing said member and lamp-socket, and a rciiector secured to and rotatable on said casing.

12. Incombination, an attachment-plug, a member corperating therewith, a lamp supported by said member, the axis ot said lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said attachment-plug, ,a casing inclosing said member, and a -reiiector supported by said casing.

13. In combination, an attaclnnent-plng, a member cooperating therewith, a lamp system supported by said member, the axis ofthe lamp beingl at approximately right angles with the axis of the attachment-plug, and a weight for balancing' said lamp system about the axis of the attachment-plug.

14. In combination, an attachment-plug, `a member cooperating' therewith, a lamp system supported by said member, the axis of the lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said attachment-plug, a weight 'lor balancing said lamp system about the axis of said attachment-plug, and a casing inclosing said member and weight.

15. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member cooperating therewith and rotatable with respect thereto, a lampV system supported by said member, means `for maintaining electrical communication between said attachment-plug and the lamp, and a weight for bal- 'ancing said lamp system about the axis ot' the attachment-plug.

16. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member cooperating therewith and rotatable with respect thereto, the axis of the lamp being at approximately right angles with the axis of said plug, means for maintaining electrical communication between said attachment-plug and said lamp, and a weight for balancing said lamp system about the axis of the attachment-plug.

17. In combination, an attachment-plug, a member cooperating therewith and rotatable with respect thereto, a lamp system supported by said member, the axis of the lamp beingI at` approximately right angles with the axis of 'the attachment-plug, means for maintaining electrical communication between said attach- IOO ` approximately horizontal position.

19. In combination, a cord drop, an attachment-plug supported thereby and in electrical communication therewith, a member secured to and rotatable with respect to said attachment-plug, a lamp supported by said member, means for maintaining electric communication between said lamp and said attachmentplug, a Weight for balancing' said lamp in approximately horizontal position, and a casing inclosing said member and weight.

20. In combination, a cord drop, a lampsocket supported thereby, a member engaging in said lamp-socket, a second lamp-socket secured to said member and having its axis at an angle with the axis of said cord drop, means for rotating said second lamp-socket about said cord drop to any desired position, and means for maintaining electrical communication between said second lamp-socket and said cord drop.

21. In combination, a cord drop, a lampsocket secured thereto, an attachment-plug engaging in said lamp-socket, the axes of said lamp-socket and attachment-plug approximately coinciding with the axis of the cord drop, amember supported by said attachmentplug, a lamp supported by said member, and a weight for balancing said lamp, whereby its axis is at an angle with theaxis of said cord drop.

22. In combination, an attachment-plug, a lamp supported thereby and rotatable with respect thereto, and a shade rotatable with respect to the said lamp.

23. In combination, an attachment-plug, a casing rotatable with respect thereto, a lamp rotatable with said casing and having its axis approximately at right angles with the axis of said attachment-plug, and a shade rotatable with respect to said casing.

HENRY DOLIER, JR.

Witnesses:

BURTON J. ANDERSON, LILIAN M. CREAHER. 

